Van Der Beek Shares Positive Cancer Update

James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his role in the 1990s teen drama Dawson's Creek, shared an optimistic update on his stage 3 colorectal cancer battle during a recent interview at his Texas ranch, assuring fans that he is feeling much improved after concerns over his appearance surfaced in September.

In the pretaped conversation with Today show host Craig Melvin, which aired on December 19, 2024, Van Der Beek addressed the weight loss that alarmed viewers following his virtual appearance at a Dawson's Creek reunion event in New York City. The 48-year-old actor explained that the gaunt look stemmed from a stomach virus that forced him to withdraw from the in-person gathering, organized by his former co-star Michelle Williams to benefit the nonprofit F Cancer. "I'd lost so much weight because of the stomach virus, yeah. No, it was not cancer related," Van Der Beek said. He added that while undergoing ongoing cancer treatment, he has not specified the therapies but noted that the illness can amplify other health issues, likening it to "Why don't we super size that stomach virus?"

Van Der Beek, who first received his diagnosis in 2023 but announced it publicly in November...